SWB Bedside differences???

[87 Shortwide]

Ok guys, Im not sure on this one so maybe you can help me out. Besides the Gas filler doors, is there a difference in the Short Wide Bed sides from the 73-78 pickups as opposed to the 81-87 pickups? I need to buy bedsides for my 87 and would prefer no filler doors, the 73-38's have the one side with no door. WILL THIS FIT? I cant remember the body lines and such either

thanks guys

[bigblock73]

I am almost 99% positive they are all identical with the exception of the fuel filler doors.

[Jonboy]

I am pretty sure too. I put an 86 bed on my 73, and it bolted up just fine. I am pretty sure you can get the later bedside without a fuel filler door on one side.

[87 Shortwide]

That is awsome, LMC truck is located about 1 1/2 hrs away from me, so I can pick parts up and save on the freight charges. Ive got a fuel cell in the truck, so I can get a 73-78 driver side, with no gas door, and an 81-87 passenger side, with no gas door, and that saves all the extra body work to fill the holes up

[dons454s]

Originally Posted by bigblock73

I am almost 99% positive they are all identical with the exception of the fuel filler doors.

I agree I changed the long bed just like your saying and they were the same

[cliffsta]

NO NO NO not ALL the way the same!!!!! pre 79 (?) have the sidemarker cutouts in them. im pretty sure either 78 or 79 went to the taillight with built in sidemarker in tailight, eliminating that hole.

[bigblock73]

Originally Posted by cliffsta

NO NO NO not ALL the way the same!!!!! pre 79 (?) have the sidemarker cutouts in them. im pretty sure either 78 or 79 went to the taillight with built in sidemarker in tailight, eliminating that hole.

Whaaaaaat? I think I can safely say that statement is incorrect. All of the 73-87 tail lights are indentical, with the exception of some having chrome trim and others plain.

Edit...you must be thinking stepside...we are talking fleetside.

[Captkaos]

Originally Posted by bigblock73

Whaaaaaat? I think I can safely say that statement is incorrect. All of the 73-87 tail lights are indentical, with the exception of some having chrome trim and others plain.

Edit...you must be thinking stepside...we are talking fleetside.

Yeah your safe saying that..
I am not 100% sure what you are after, but getting a 73-78 drivers side and a 81-87 passenger side you will have no gas doors to fill.

[87 Shortwide]

Originally Posted by Captkaos

Yeah your safe saying that..
I am not 100% sure what you are after, but getting a 73-78 drivers side and a 81-87 passenger side you will have no gas doors to fill.

That is what I am after, because Ive got a fuel cell in the bed now, and I want those doors gone...

Ive got to get bedsides anyhow, because mine are all screwed up, so this is the easy alternative to filling the new holes

[87 Shortwide]

any other people know...these are all pretty convincing that it will work. If so Im gonna get them ordered and hopefully drive to linexa next wednesday to pick them up. I figure an hour and a half drive beats a couple hundred bucks freight

[cliffsta]

^^^^slaps himself with the stupid stick several times over.
Sorry guys its been one of those days. Hell, its been one of those life's. Probably why i made my avitar what it is a good while ago.

[87 Shortwide]

its ok buddy

[OG lil E]

I recently bought a different bed for my truck. It was rust free and cheap. Problem is it has a nasty hit on the driver's side right above the wheel. Even with the crunch, it was too good to pass up. Everyone I've talked to said I should just replace the bed side and not mess with the bodywork. I've been calling around and nobody seems to be able to get them. Where is the best place to get them? LMC?

Also, will there be any cutting involved to remove the old bed side? I know there are lots of bolts and the seam sealer, but are there any tack welds that need to be cut? Thanks for the help............................E

[87 Shortwide]

I will let you know all about the LMC panels and installation as soon as I get it done, that help much?

[687980chevy]

OG lil E:
There are only 2 welds. Below the tailgate on both sides, the back crossmember is welded to the sides. Very easy to cut with a angle grinder or cutoff wheel.> LOTS of bolts! The bedsides are the same for all 73-87s except for the fuel door-cap differences. My truck had good sides but a rotten floor I replaced the entire floor with a aftermarket floor marked "for 73-87 trucks" Fit like a glove!

[687980chevy]

Picture of bed

[gchemist]

There are some minor changes on how the tailgate hindges. The bottom hindges are welded in older models and bolted on the later models. I think the change was in the very late 70's. The aftermarket bedsides probably have bolted bottom hindges but check. Also the rubber bumps are different too. Go with the later design.

[bigblock73]

E, this may help some.

http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/exte...ed_rebuild.htm

[OG lil E]

Thanks for the info, guys. New bedside here I come.

Is LMC the only source for one?

[smokinn]

I didnt know they still made SWB bed sides any more. I might have to dig out my LMC and take a look. I know goodmark dosent carry them. At least not for a 82 shortbox.

[87 Shortwide]

I just picked up my LMC ones yesterday (I drove down to KC and picked them up myself since its only about 2 1/2 hours from my house) and they were really good looking bedsides. No dings or scratches, and they look really clean. The mounting will be the test

[Captkaos]

Originally Posted by smokinn

I didnt know they still made SWB bed sides any more. I might have to dig out my LMC and take a look. I know goodmark dosent carry them. At least not for a 82 shortbox.

Goodmark stopped supplying them (along with the Blazer sides) because people kept wanting their money back when the got shipped a 6 foot long bedside that had a scratch or a small dent in them. They expected to just bolt it on and spray it with paint once it arrived. Such is not the case. It became more costly to supply them so they dropped them.